Metal is one of the most commonly used
building materials in many modern industries. Ore must be mined from
the Earth and refined in order to create the various metals in use
today. The mining process has the potential to damage the
environment, so recycling metal products is encouraged.
Most metals can be melted down and
transformed into new products that have the same tensile strength and
durability as the virgin metal materials they are made from. Because
metal can be recycled and given a new use, it has value on the
secondary market.
Many people hoping to generate extra
income through recycling focus their efforts on the collection of
scrap metal. Non-ferrous metals will return the highest profit when
being sold to a scrap yard, so you must familiarize yourself with
these metals if you want to maximize your scrap metal earnings over
time.
Non-Ferrous Metals Defined
To understand the true value of a
non-ferrous metal, you need to be able to identify the properties
these metals embody. Non-ferrous metals are essentially any metals or
metal alloys that do not contain iron.
The lack of iron in non-ferrous metals
means that these metals do not have magnetic properties. It also
means that a non-ferrous metal can withstand exposure to the elements
without sustaining any serious corrosion. Ferrous metals (those that
do contain iron) often deteriorate beyond the point of saving, making
them less valuable as recycled goods.
You should always carry a magnet with
you when collecting scrap metal. The magnet will help you recognize
valuable non-ferrous metals that can yield a higher return at
recycling facilities.
The Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling
Process
Once you have collected a sufficient
amount of non-ferrous metals and delivered them to a recycling
center, the process of transforming used metals into new products
begins. Non-ferrous metals are separated by type, then compressed
into large bales that facilitate the shipping and transportation
processes.
Pieces of metal that are relatively
large will be put through a shearing machine to cut them down to a
manageable size. Bales of homogeneous non-ferrous metals are then
melted down and cast into ingots that can be transformed into sheets
of metal for use in the industrial and manufacturing industries.
Types of Non-Ferrous Metals
Since any type of metal or metal alloy
that is devoid of iron is classified as non-ferrous, many metals fall
into this category. The most valuable of the non-ferrous metals are
aluminum and copper.
Despite the fact that aluminum is
available in abundance, it is one of the most recycled metals in the
world today. The high recycling rate of aluminum can be contributed,
in part, to the fact that aluminum covers the cost of its own
collection and processing once it has been recycled. You can easily
source aluminum scrap by collecting cans, foil, old bicycles, and
sections of rain gutter.
Copper is another valuable non-ferrous
metal. The superconductivity of copper makes it ideal for use in the
assembly of delicate electronic components. Copper is also very
resilient, with moisture posing very little risk to the structural
integrity of a copper component. Copper can be found in wires,
circuits, switches, and many plumbing fittings.
By focusing your scrap metal efforts on
non-ferrous metals, you can create a more economically viable and
environmentally sound side business. Always carry a magnet with you
to test scrap metal for the presence of iron, and stay informed on
current market rates for non-ferrous metals
to help you maximize your profitability as you collect and recycle
scrap metal in the future.
Contact
Bruce
Metal & Salvage for more information on non-ferrous metals and
the money they can generate when recycled.
